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Penn State Football: Who needs to step up in season’s second half?

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 02: Noah Cain #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions huddles with teammates before the game Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on October 2, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 02: Noah Cain #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions huddles with teammates before the game Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on October 2, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football
Penn State offensive linemen Mike Miranda becomes frustrated after another Penn State false start penalty in the fourth quarter against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.20211009 Iowavspennstate /

Mike Miranda (C)

Going along with the theme of the running game, specifically run blocking being the weakest point of this team, another interior offensive lineman has found themselves on my list of players that need to step up and make a positive impact in the second half for this Penn State Football team.

The center is the second-most important position along the offensive line, so whether positive or negative, Mike Miranda will have a big impact on the success of this offense in what will be a crucial back half of the schedule.

For the most part, this offensive line has held up in pass protection. The main exception is when the defense brings exotic blitzes and/or brings a lot of extra pressure up the middle, namely the A gaps.

Miranda needs to pick up those extra rushing defenders, or at least slow them down and give the quarterback time to make a good decision.

As for the running game, this offensive line has struggled more so than in the passing game. Penn State Football is 10th in the Big Ten in rushing yards per attempt, and 11th in rushing touchdowns. While the running game as a whole has not had much success, they have especially struggled to run the ball up the middle.

Many times when the running backs are unable to get downhill on inside runs, much of (not all) the responsibility falls onto the center. Unfortunately, Saquon Barkley is no longer in the Nittany Lions’ backfield to just bounce the run outside and pick up positive yards when an inside run is not blocked well.

This offense has also struggled mightily to convert on the ground in short yardage situations, and that starts right in the middle of the offensive line. Their ability to get a push up front and allow the backs to fall forward for a few positive yards is very important.

Miranda has played a lot of football for the Nittany Lions, and although the transition from guard to center is not easy, his success moving forward will have a big impact on the success of the offense, and ultimately the team.

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